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May 31, 2015

What Does the Uvula Do?

Given how frequently doctors look in peoples' mouths, physicians probably get asked this question a dozen times a day by curious patients. This question of uvular function also extended into ancient times with a variety of theories proposed over the years...

Hippocrates and Aristotle in the 4th century B.C. and Berenargio da Carpri in 1900 referred to the uvula only as a source of possible inflammation and edema capable of causing suffocation.

Galen (122-199 A.D.) considered it to be an important structure contributing to human voice production.

Delavan (1923) felt that the uvula acted as a drain for mucous secretion from the nose by directing flow towards the base of the tongue where it is expelled.

Ewens (1934) suggested that the uvula is a vestigial remnant.

Richardson and Pullen (1948) suggested that the uvula provided only a functional role protecting the orifices of the eustachian tubes (tunnel that goes up into the ear).

Kaplan (1971) felt the uvula prevented excessive nasality of the voice by controlling resonance of the air column over the larynx.

Israel researchers (1988) suggested that the uvula provides an important function in drinking and swallowing.

The same researchers later revised their opinion in 1992 after discovering that most lower animals they looked at do not have a uvula. (Animals they checked included sheep, calves, foals, dogs, cats, pigs, Macaca Mulata, baboons, and chimpanzees.) Histologically, they also found an unusually large amount of serous glands within the human uvular musculature. Based on the absence of an uvula in animals in combination with the high serous gland content in the human uvula, they hypothesize that the human uvula's main role is in preventing excessive throat drying during speech.

Today, it is felt that although the uvula may provide some lubricating function, removal does not seem to cause any significant deficits. In fact, removal may help improve a patient's well-being by potentially eliminating snoring as well as resolving other sleep related problems.

Just as an FYI... The Bedouin believe that uvula removal increases their ability to tolerate thirst. In fact, uvula removal is a common practice in folk medicine or as a ritual act to this day documented in the Middle East, North Africa, the Arabian peninsula, and among some Bedouin tribes in southern Sinai.

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids. He is also the chief medical officer of O2Labz, a medical and scientific 3D animation company.

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